Written by: Mamaga
Mamaga is an author who has been studying and writing on military and political issues for over a decade.
Today, the Arakan Army (AA) is actively fighting across the country, alongside allies, to rid the nation of the military council completely. It’s not wrong to say that this is part of AA’s policy to help cleanse the country of the military council.
However, it is not an easy task to increase the number of allies and reduce enemies on the revolutionary path.
AA’s Tarnished Honor in the Revolution
On August 1, the Chin National Front (CNF) released a dangerous video file depicting the conflict between the Chin and Rakhine ethnic groups, as well as the revolutionary path. In this video, it was reported that two AA members were captured by the Chin National Army (CNA) and were coerced into claiming that AA soldiers fought while under the influence of drugs.
The two AA members were captured by the CNA after mistakenly entering their territory while retrieving confiscated weapons from a battle in Matupi. According to AA, this incident was an act of coercion and mistreatment by CNF/CNA, which was similar to the military council’s tactics.
Will these incidents end here, or will there be more to come? CNF has said they will release a second part, so let’s see what happens next.
Chin youth and the Chin Brotherhood (CB), a revolutionary group, have rejected CNF’s actions. They condemned the CNF’s coercion of the two AA members and demanded their immediate release on August 4. They also viewed CNF’s actions as not representing the Chin people and as damaging the unity between revolutionary brothers and the solidarity of the entire Chin ethnic group, while fostering hatred between the Chin and Rakhine.
CNF’s Discontent with AA’s Assistance in the Chin Liberation Movement
AA is assisting in the Chin liberation movement. However, what does CNF think of this? Let’s explore how deep CNF’s jealousy and resentment go. First, CNF completely disapproved of AA’s establishment in the Paletwa region, although they did not initially oppose it. At that time, CNF was engaged in political talks under the NCA and spent time in Naypyidaw without making efforts to strengthen their forces. What bothers them more is AA’s control over Paletwa, which they find unacceptable. As a result, they collaborated with local Chin youth to block the trade route from India’s Mizoram to Paletwa.
Moreover, AA fought alongside CB in the Kyindwe and Matupi battles, recruiting Chin groups that were under CNF’s control. CNF sees this as interference in Chin politics. CNF became even more antagonistic when they attacked the CB and its allied forces from behind during the Matupi battle.
CNF spokesman Salai Htang Ni expressed strong disapproval of AA’s involvement in the Matupi battle. Following this, CNF captured two AA members and used media to attack them. In June, CNF’s Chinland Defense Council also called for AA to leave the Chin state.
The Thorny Politics and Revolution of the Chin People
The Chin National Front/Chin National Army (CNF/CAN) has been involved in the revolution for over 35 years and is a veteran group that signed the NCA. However, until 2021, they lacked significant armed strength and had not engaged in major battles against the military council. The military argues that CNF’s involvement in the NCA was disproportionate to its strength, but they were included at the request of peace advocates. After the coup, CNF has been striving to strengthen itself against the military council.
CNF leaders have also sought to bring the emerging Chin Defense Forces (CDFs) under their control, leading to the establishment of about 12 regional revolutionary forces under CNF. CNF also quickly declared the administrative system for Chin State. By the end of 2023, they had formed the Chin State Council (CC), followed by the Chin State Government (CG) in February 2024. Some Chin revolutionary groups, including the Chin Brotherhood (CB), disagreed with CNF’s centralized control.
Among these groups are the Zomi Federal Union (ZFU), Chin National Organization (CNO), Chin National Council (Min Dat), Mara Autonomous Administration Council (MTC), Chin Defense Forces (Kanpetlet), and Chinland Defense Force-Matupi (Division 1). The Chin Brotherhood (CB) also has a political body, the Interim Chin National Consultative Council (ICNCC), seeking to lead politically in Chin State. Thus, two rival governing bodies have emerged in Chin State, led by CNF (CC/CG) and CB (ICNCC).
In the early stages, a Chin State Defense Joint Committee (CJDC) was formed to coordinate military operations in Chin State. The CJDC includes 18 regional defense forces, roughly 12 under CC/CG and 6 under ICNCC/CB. This illustrates the complexity of the situation in Chin State.
Blaming AA for Internal Disunity
The CNF is unwilling to admit its role in the division between Chin factions and instead blames AA, trying to undermine AA’s honor in the revolution. Last month, CNF leaders in the United States used anti-AA rhetoric to raise funds for the Chin revolution, portraying AA as an enemy.
The main problem in the Chin revolution is CNF’s inability to unite all Chin armed groups. As a result, young Chin people are dissatisfied with CNF’s political approach. Young Chin people have criticized CNF for betraying AA from behind during the Matupi battle and for lacking a fresh revolutionary mindset. They see CNF’s leadership as outdated and responsible for the fragmentation of Chin forces.
The Chin Brotherhood initially approached CNF for assistance in their armed struggle but received no help. They then sought to purchase weapons from the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), but CNF, under the influence of Maung Pyaing, had arranged a deal to prevent the sale of weapons to Chin groups. Subsequently, the Chin Brotherhood received weapons and other assistance from AA, enabling them to carry out their revolution.
CNF Needs to Reflect
When considering the details and possibilities, it becomes clear that CNF’s leaders are shortsightedly creating enmity with a non-enemy neighbor. Chin and Rakhine should not become hostile neighbors. AA has not yet interfered in Chin politics or incited divisions among the Chin. CNF needs to realize that this is an internal Chin issue and has nothing to do with AA.
During the revolution, trust-building between different groups is crucial. The current issues among the Chin stem from a lack of a comprehensive political and revolutionary plan that ensures the dignity and future of the Chin people. The situation has been further aggravated by public statements and animosity between the forces.
When analyzing Chin politics, it is evident that there is no unifying political agenda accepted by all Chin groups. CNF’s actions could potentially exacerbate the problem with AA instead of resolving internal differences among the Chin.
Political analysts argue that CNF’s attacks on AA, a potential ally, without a full understanding and consideration of the situation, may ultimately strengthen the military council. Therefore, it is suggested that CNF avoid direct confrontation with AA and instead cooperate with them to topple the military dictatorship in Chin State.